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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Playing with Patinas

Today's post is from Beverly Herman, she has been experimenting with patinas and has generously shared her process.

I used Sophisticated Finishes to create the verdigris finish on the dragonfly. This product contains special salts and oxidation agents to speed up the process. Highlights of the dragonfly body were achieved with Silver-black.

Supplies:

Brass Dragonfly

Sophisticated Finishes Patina Green Antiquing solution

Silver-Black solution

Fine steel wool

Johnson & Johnson paste wax

Rubber gloves

Q-tips

Step 1: Use fine steel wool to clean and prepare the surface for patina.

Step 2: Paint a coat of Sophisticated Finishes on the dragonfly. Let it air dry and repeat for a second coat. I waited over night for the oxidation process to take place.

Step 3: Use a Q-tip to darken the body of the dragonfly with Silver-Black. Repeat for the outside edges of the wings. Take the steel wool and run it across the body to bring out the brass highlights.

Step Four: Paint a third coat of the patina over the entire dragonfly. Wait over night for the oxidation to take place.

Step Five: A final time use the steel wool to bring out the brass highlights on the wings and body. When you are happy with the results rub a small amount of paste wax over the dragonfly and polish with a soft cloth.

Notes: Sophisticated Finishes is water-based for easy clean-up. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Additional information about this product can be found at http://www.modernoptions.com/

Pictured here is a copper etched pendant that has been treated with the Sophisticated Finishes solution.

Another cheap and awesome way to patina brass and copper is to put in a Ziploc bag with a cotton ball or piece of felt soaked in household ammonia. Keep an eye on your project because the transformation is quick (sometimes as fast as 5 minutes). Don't leave fine gauges of wire in for too long or they will become brittle. Copper turns a dark color at first but then will turn green if left longer. Rinse off with water to stop process and seal with Preserve your Memories II to protect the finish and keep it from continuing to age.